My little Boomba is two years old today. Mamma mia, I truly can’t believe it. Two years ago today I had this tripped out experience and then I got to meet my little nugget for the first time. I remember how she looked at me the first time I held her, and how small she seemd…especially in comparison to my humungous boobs. I was terrified they would suffocate her while breast feeding…but somehow we made it through.
Gosh she was just a little tiny thing. I didn’t even realize she was skinny until she got chubby. And then she turned one, and had never learned to crawl and was already starting with her first words. I have a note on my phone from October with these words that she knew: Moon, More, Dada, Mama, Hi, Bye bye, Shhhhh, No, That, Nightnight, Poopoo, Up, Down, Nose, Eyes, Hat, Bubby, Papa, Kitteh, Woof woof, Baba (bottle), Wawa (water), Please, Bon (bunny), Baby, Goom (good), Ow, and Ball. And now she says things like “calculated” “remember” and “gymnastics.” Not to mention the fact that she talks in full on sentences and can identify correctly most all letters and numbers 1-10. I’m TRIPPING OUT on how quickly that happened. And it’s not just that stuff, she has a kind of rational mind (she must have gotten that from her dad) whereby I can sit down an explain things to her–and not only does she listen intently and ‘get it’ but a week later she still remembers. It’s truly bananas.
Last year, before Ida’s birthday, had a collection of unprocessed emotions around becoming a mother, the traumatic birth, and what it meant for me to be in transition from being the mother of a baby to the mother of a toddler. I wrote a post about it, and reading back on it today I can see that I have come A LONG way. This year has been about finding that place where I incorporate motherhood into my own identity. I actually think taking better physical care of myself this year has really helped with that, too. I have come far and really feel that this year I’m ready to make Ida’s birthday about Ida, and not about me becoming a mom. She is pretty excited about it. We are having a party for her on Sunday and today we’re going to celebrate with the butterflies.
I’d like to end today’s post with a little note to Ida…
My sweet little monkey. You make me laugh. You surprise me how you figure stuff out. I love the face you make when you’re really concentrating on something. You are so sweet with the other kids. I love it when you help me make my ‘ladies’ and hand me leaves off the ground explaining what part of the face it is. I love that in the mornings when you wake up you call for Daddy (I am grateful for the extra 10 minutes of zzz’s!) I love how adventurous and assertive you are–you inspire me. I love how you say hello to strangers, even ones that I think look kinda scary. I love it when you dance and when you sing, especially Doe-a-dear-a-fee-a-dear. I love it when we play guitar (AKA ‘tar’) together and I even kinda love it when you don’t let me play piano because it’s ‘Daddy’s piano.’ I love it that you tell me when you’re tired or hungry and I love that you love books and music and climbing and standing on your head! I love it when you say that your hair is so long it goes all the way down your back! You bring so much joy into the lives of everyone who gets to hang with you.
Sweet thing, you are so, so beautiful–mama and daddy love you so, so, so much. Happy second birthday my little Ida Sky.
Meri says
Brought sweet tears to my eyes Justina! Happy birthday to you as a mama and your little lady… enjoy every minute of your special time together:)
Manu says
Such a beautiful post Justina! And I can see in Ida’s eyes that she’s a happy and sweet little girl. I’m sure she’ll grow up to be a wonderful person. Feliz cumpleaños Ida!
Melissa says
Happy Birthday to little Miss Ida. Time does go by quickly. She is beautiful, looks like you are enjoying every moment.
stephanie@babasouk says
oh lovely Ida, Happy BDay sweet funny little lady :)
Melanie Biehle says
So cute! I love the kissy photo at the end. Adorable.
susan // fleurishing says
happy happy day sweet girl! beautiful post.